Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said he believed the state could grow into a trading hub, innovation centre, and regional economic meeting point, given its strategic location in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia bordering Thailand.

“I also hope that in the coming years, just as Dubai is recognised globally as a gateway to the Middle East, Perlis too can emerge as a ‘second Dubai’, becoming an open gateway to Asean countries.

“With the state’s strategic location in northern Peninsular Malaysia, bordering Thailand, and supported by the commitment of the state government, the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority, the entrepreneur and cooperatives development ministry, as well as the strength of the cooperative movement, I firmly believe Perlis can develop into a trading hub, innovation centre, and regional economic meeting point,” he said.

He said this when officiating the ANGKASA Perlis International Market 2026 at the department of irrigation and drainage floating market here last night. Also in attendance were the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Also present were Perlis menteri besar Abu Bakar Hamzah and ANGKASA president Abdul Fattah Abdullah.